NURSERYMEN'S CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 103, 24 January 1918, Page 8

NURSERYMEN'S CONFERENCE

THE ADVANCE OF THE FRUIT INDUSTRY. By Teleerauh-Prees Association. CJiristchurch, January 23. Tho annual conference of the New Zealand Nurserymen's Association opened to-day. There was a very large attendance of delegates from all parts of the Dominion. Mr. Thomas Waugh (Wellington) presided. Tho delegates were accorded a civic welcome by the Mayor (Mr. H. Holland). The conference then opened with au address by the Hon. AV. D. S. Mac Donald, Minister of Agriculture, after which Mr. AVaugh delivered his presidential address. In the course of his address t<l the conference, the Hon. Mr. Mac Donald referring to the groat advance of the fruit industry, said that at present the markets were affected owing to the want of shipping facilities, but the introduction of adequate cool storage would solve many problems. Inside the Dominion the industry had increased by leaps and bounds it promised to b»; a source of great wealth to the country when conditions become normal again. The president, in bis address, strongly urged nurserymen to pay attention to tho propagation of native trees, as New Zealand had one of the finest floras of any country. ' Officers were elected as follow:— President, Mr. T. AVaugh (Wellington); vice-presidents, M>. T). A. Hay (North Island), Mr. A. AV. Buxton (South Island); secretary .and treasurer, Mr. G. A. Green; committee, North Island, Messrs. . J. M'Kay, A. M'Donald, and \V. S. Johnston; riouth Island, Messrs. G. AV. Ivory, J. Millicliamp, and AV. h. Grant. Tho following remit was carried: "That tho need of establishing a national school of horticulture in connection with one or more of the experimental stations be urged on the attention of the Government, with a special reference to afforestation."

Air. Pope, Secrotary 'of Agriculture, said it would require £20,000 io establish the school, and it would be a ro.markabJy good investment. The following remits also were carried: "This conference requests tho Secretary of Agriculture to provide the financial means to assemble a varieties conference, provided the co-operation of the Fruit-growers' Federation can be first secured in support of the proposal." "That the public receive somo protection by way of inspection and condemnation of worthless plants offered for sale."